Without question, Ella Dining Room and Bar is one of Sacramento’s most stunning and sophisticated dining venues. Designed by European architects, this distinct restaurant is a great place to bring out-of-town guests (that you want to impress), your boss (who you definitely want to impress) and anyone in your life who loves fine food. Perched on a heavily trafficked corner of 12th and K streets, Ella is a manicured, elegant oasis from the gritty hustle and bustle directly outside. Perhaps the most arresting feature of the restaurant is its ceiling, which is covered with rustic, weathered-looking shutters which lend a whimsical, European feel to the space. When you enter, the first thing you see is Ella’s lavish seafood bar, offering a beautiful selection of shellfish and bivalves arranged carefully atop mounds of glittering ice. (This is also where Ella’s famous hand-crafted cocktails are created.) Other visually attractive elements include the textured elm tables, draped with soft linen runners and adorned with vases stuffed with olive branches and fresh flowers. Structural columns throughout the restaurant are enshrouded by wispy, cream-colored drapes, which hover like gentle ghosts and serve as diaphanous room dividers. The menu follows the seasons, so it changes several times a year, but expect to find innovative menu items that are presented in dynamic, unusual ways. If the lusty grilled Monterey Bay calamari and lentil salad or the wood oven meatballs are available, order them. I would also recommend any of the kitchen’s salads and small plates. The desserts are also fabulous. Fashion note: Ella caters to a very nattily attired clientele, so leave your jeans at home. – Kira O'Donnell

Insider tip: Bring extra one-dollar bills. Ella has virtually no street parking available, unless you want to walk a few blocks. Expect to utilize a nearby parking garage or the restaurant’s valet service.

Reservations:  Recommended

Payment methods: AmEx, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Alcohol: Full bar

Corkage fee: $20 for the first bottle, $30 for the second, $40 for the third. However, if you also order a bottle of wine off the menu, the corkage fee is waived.

Hours:
Monday–Friday: Lunch 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.; “Midday menu” 2:30–5:30 p.m.; Dinner 5:30–10 p.m.
Saturday: (dinner only) 5:30–10 p.m.